SBAR Report Competency and Communication Clarity of Handover in Korean Nursing Students

Abstract

This study aims to grasp the current condition of handovers of practical tasks among nursing students as well as specific items of handovers and the communication clarity. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on handover experience among 137 individuals who had experience of clinical practice and were senior students at three nursing colleges located in A, B, and C districts. Among then, 27 were chosen for convenience sampling, and their statements were recorded for a descriptive analysis. It turned out that 10.2% of the respondents took an education course of handovers as part of their practical trainings, and that the level of self-confidence for handovers was 2.91±2.12 points. The preferred education methods about handovers included simulations (40.9%), role plays (24.8%), and lectures (13.9%) in the order. In the SBARbased analysis of handover items, it turned out that there were few statements on vital signs (40.7%) and advice (59.3%), and that the clarity in communication of handover contents was of the middle level as high as 2.30 (±0.42) points. The findings of this study indicate the necessity of education on handovers as part of practical training for nursing students as well as efforts to enhance the clarity of communication in utilization of specific SBAR tools.